I’ve been enjoying these posts. Waiting for one of you guys to take a big risk and review an album from a band that isn’t a “critics’ darling”. Also, in my experience you are either a Wilco fan or not. On paper Wilco checks all my boxes except for one, the singer’s voice. To my this one of the most important elements. As Ken knows, the lead singer’s voice is more important to me than the lyrics. Just my 2 cents.
I guess we're defining rock very loosely now. Like when they have "Celebrity" Worst Cooks In America and the celebrities are Peter Brady and Ralph Malph.
First of all, Donny Most is an American Treasure!!! Second, rock music has had loose definitions since the 1960s. Originally, rock n roll was a genre that was almost exclusively in 4/4 time (or cut time if it was really fast), it used blues chords (or slight variations), it was electric guitar driven, and it was in 8, 12, or 16 bar structures. Once the mid 60s came around and musicians started experimenting with writing and structuring styles, all that went out the window. Redo and submit Mr. Kaplan!
I would argue that there's a difference between rock and rock n roll. Is Wilco a rock n roll band? Sure. Are they a rock band? Nuh-uh. I will concede that the Crowes are indeed a rock band that jams. But, they are the exception that proves the rule.
I'm really loving these posts. Regarding this one, I get the references to Lennon and The Beatles, but I hear Jackson Browne in this album much more. I've never heard Tweedy mention it, but I have to think JB is a strong influence. When Tweedy digs for references, I feel like I hear early-mid 70's more than anything else - it's often the time period he goes to when plays covers, as well.
Interesting that you hear Jackson Browne for two reasons. First, I'm a HUGE Jackson Browne fan and I don't hear it at all but now I'll make an effort to see if I can. Second, next week starts our "Most Loved Albums" month (Valentine's Day and all) and I'm kicking it off with Jackson Browne's Late for the Sky. I hope you enjoy it.
I am a huge fan as well. And I hear his influence across a bunch of Wilco's stuff. Sometimes it's the piano openings on some of the earlier stuff, sometimes the self-reflective lyrics. Here's an example:
I’ve been enjoying these posts. Waiting for one of you guys to take a big risk and review an album from a band that isn’t a “critics’ darling”. Also, in my experience you are either a Wilco fan or not. On paper Wilco checks all my boxes except for one, the singer’s voice. To my this one of the most important elements. As Ken knows, the lead singer’s voice is more important to me than the lyrics. Just my 2 cents.
What can we say, critics tend to have better taste in music than the common folk.
You need to connect with Don and decide whether my picks are too mainstream or too obscure!
On a side note, I've never once considered Wilco to be jam band. They're like the Crowes - a rock band that jams.
I guess we're defining rock very loosely now. Like when they have "Celebrity" Worst Cooks In America and the celebrities are Peter Brady and Ralph Malph.
First of all, Donny Most is an American Treasure!!! Second, rock music has had loose definitions since the 1960s. Originally, rock n roll was a genre that was almost exclusively in 4/4 time (or cut time if it was really fast), it used blues chords (or slight variations), it was electric guitar driven, and it was in 8, 12, or 16 bar structures. Once the mid 60s came around and musicians started experimenting with writing and structuring styles, all that went out the window. Redo and submit Mr. Kaplan!
I would argue that there's a difference between rock and rock n roll. Is Wilco a rock n roll band? Sure. Are they a rock band? Nuh-uh. I will concede that the Crowes are indeed a rock band that jams. But, they are the exception that proves the rule.
One o'clock, two o'clock, three o'clock rock! We're going to rock around the clock tonight! (Those Happy Days kids sure loved to rock.)
Ayyyyy!
I'm really loving these posts. Regarding this one, I get the references to Lennon and The Beatles, but I hear Jackson Browne in this album much more. I've never heard Tweedy mention it, but I have to think JB is a strong influence. When Tweedy digs for references, I feel like I hear early-mid 70's more than anything else - it's often the time period he goes to when plays covers, as well.
Interesting that you hear Jackson Browne for two reasons. First, I'm a HUGE Jackson Browne fan and I don't hear it at all but now I'll make an effort to see if I can. Second, next week starts our "Most Loved Albums" month (Valentine's Day and all) and I'm kicking it off with Jackson Browne's Late for the Sky. I hope you enjoy it.
I am a huge fan as well. And I hear his influence across a bunch of Wilco's stuff. Sometimes it's the piano openings on some of the earlier stuff, sometimes the self-reflective lyrics. Here's an example:
First, listen to the opening of this (delayed beginning at 00:17): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eqq82VHiA4
Then, the opening of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SEiCFQNK9M (turn it up a bit before hitting play)
I look forward to that upcoming post. Late For The Sky is a masterpiece.
I love it! Thanks for that. Yes, they do sound very similar. And I always love a “These Days” link. I can’t hear that song enough.